Nehru's equations with Abdullah, Hari Singh affected J-K issue

New Delhi, Dec 12: Former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had a "tilt towards" Sheikh Abdullah and a "tilt against" Raja Hari Singh, which played a big role in "complicating" the Jammu and Kashmir issue, Gujarat Governor O P Kohli today claimed.

Kohli said this at the launch of a book 'Dr Syama Prasad Mookherjee aur Kashmir Samasya' authored by his daughter, Ritu Kohli.

"He tilted very much towards Sheikh Abdullah, while he tilted against Maharaja Hari Singh, which played a big role in complicating the Jammu and Kashmir episode," he claimed.

Kohli added that there is need to place the right narration of events before the country, even as he lauded the role played by Syama Prasad Mookherjee. Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh also said that major decisions were taken at that time because of Nehru's personal inclinations and the "impact is being faced even today".

Kohli further claimed Congress, even after Independence, continued on its policies of "minority appeasement" or "softness towards Pakistan", and the establishment of a national alternative to Congress, is one of aspects which needs an in-depth examination.

Speaking about Article 370, the Gujarat Governor said while some people say that it is no longer an issue as many central laws are applicable to the state, but added that its various aspects should also be examined.

Later when asked by reporters to comment on Kohli's remarks, Deputy Chief Minister Singh said there are certain aspects related to the state's history on which clarity is needed and some misconceptions are also present.

Singh claimed that at the time when country became free from the British rule, all princely states were dealt with by Sardar Patel, while Nehru "only took care of Kashmir", because of which "questions arise". It is a big question, why we went to UN and internationalised the Kashmir issue, Singh asked.